The woman nodded and moved toward the door. But before leaving, she turned back. «‘You’re performing the Miller-Chen wedding next weekend, yes?’ Father Michael was surprised.
«‘Yes. Do you know the couple?’ «‘I know of them,’ she said carefully. «‘It will be a memorable ceremony, I’m sure.'» Something in her tone made Father Michael uneasy.
The woman left before he could ask more questions, the heavy church door closing behind her with a significant thud. That night, Father Michael couldn’t sleep. The woman’s words played in his mind.
There was something in her eyes, a sadness, perhaps, or a warning. He told himself he was being silly. After all, weddings often brought out strange emotions in people.
Little did he know that this encounter was just the beginning of what would become the most unusual wedding in all his years as a priest. One week before the wedding, the church was busy with preparations. Mrs. Peterson arranged flowers while the choir practiced wedding songs.
Father Michael sat in his office, reviewing his notes for the ceremony, when there was a knock at his door. «‘Come in,’ he called. Anna entered, wearing a simple blue dress and carrying a small notebook.
«‘I hope I’m not disturbing you, Father,’ she said with her gentle smile. «‘Not at all, Anna. Please, sit down.’ Father Michael gestured to the chair across from his desk.
«‘Is everything all right? Wedding jitters?’ «‘No, no,’ Anna said quickly. «‘Everything is perfect. I just wanted to go over some details about the ceremony again.’ Father Michael nodded.
Anna had been thorough about planning every aspect of the wedding. Robert had joked that she had spreadsheets for her spreadsheets. «‘I was wondering,’ Anna began, «‘about the part where you ask if anyone objects to the marriage.
Is that really necessary?’ Father Michael raised an eyebrow. «‘It’s traditional, though rarely does anyone actually object.’ «‘Could we skip it?’ Anna asked, looking down at her hands. «‘It seems so old-fashioned.’ «‘I suppose we could,’ Father Michael said slowly.
«‘May I ask why it concerns you?’ Anna laughed lightly, but Father Michael noticed it didn’t reach her eyes. «‘Oh, it’s silly. I just saw a movie where someone objected at a wedding, and it was so embarrassing for everyone.’ Father Michael studied her face, for someone about to the love of her life, Anna seemed unusually tense.
«‘I understand,’ he said. «‘But Robert mentioned wanting a traditional ceremony. Let me think about it.’ Anna nodded, though she looked disappointed.
She changed the subject quickly. «‘Also, I was wondering about the lighting. The afternoon sun comes through the stained glass so beautifully.
I’d like to make sure we capture that in the photos.’ They discussed a few more details, and then Anna left. Father Michael watched her walk away, noticing how she paused to look at the statues of saints, particularly St. Catherine, the church’s namesake. Later that afternoon, Father Michael was surprised to see Robert arrive alone for their final meeting before the wedding.
Anna couldn’t make it. Father Michael asked. She had a shift at the hospital she couldn’t get out of, Robert explained.
She sends her apologies. «‘No problem at all,’ Father Michael assured him. Actually, Anna came by earlier with some questions about the ceremony.
«‘Did she?’ Robert seemed surprised. «‘I thought she was working all day.’ Father Michael felt a small twinge of concern. She mentioned wanting to skip the part where I ask if anyone objects to the marriage.
Robert frowned. «‘That’s odd. She’s the one who wanted everything to be traditional.
She even insisted on using my grandmother’s wedding bible for the readings. «‘Perhaps she’s just nervous,’ Father Michael suggested. Weddings bring out all sorts of emotions.
«‘Maybe,’ Robert agreed, but he looked troubled. Did she say anything else unusual?’ Father Michael hesitated. «‘Not really.
Although,’ he paused, unsure if he should continue. «‘What is it, Father?’ Robert prompted. «‘It’s probably nothing, but I’ve noticed Anna seems uncomfortable during parts of our premarital counseling, especially when we discuss Catholic traditions.’ Robert nodded.
«‘She’s still learning. Her family wasn’t religious, but she’s been studying Catholicism to understand my faith better. She even bought books about it.’ Father Michael smiled.
«‘That’s admirable.’ After Robert left, Father Michael walked through the church, checking that everything was ready for the weekend. As he passed the confessional, he noticed someone kneeling at the altar, a middle-aged Asian woman he didn’t recognize. «‘Excuse me,’ he said gently.
«‘May I help you?’ The woman turned, startled. «‘I’m sorry, Father. I was just praying.’ «‘You’re welcome to pray here anytime,’ Father Michael assured her.